Press releases from the MotoGP teams after the second day of testing at Jerez:

Weather finally allows for some dry test time in Jerez

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez were back on track today in Jerez for the second day of the final pre-season test.

The track dried slowly after yesterday's downpour and allowed the riders to begin their intended test programme. Dani, worked with the rear shock and some electronics and confirmed other feelings from these previous winter tests. He finished the day 4th fastest with a 1'39.630 lap, recorded on his final lap of 39, just one tenth off the fastest time of the day. Marc, on the RC213V for the first time in the dry here in Jerez, spent the day working on rear grip. He finished 7th fastest with 1'40.714 on lap 21 of 36.

The final day of testinMotoGP™ Official Test Jerez 24th March 18hg in Jerez will take place tomorrow from 10h00 - 18h00.

Dani Pedrosa 4th 1'39.630

"Today we were lucky enough to be able to complete some dry laps which was important, even though the track was quite dirty. We reconfirmed some things from the other tests here at a different track, nothing really new. Unfortunately we were not able to complete the whole programme before the rain came again but happy that we did some laps. Let's hope tomorrow stays dry so we can continue our programme and finish in the best way before Qatar"

Marc Marquez 7th 1'40.714

"We managed 36 laps and improved quite a lot from the beginning to the end but we can still improve a lot further. At first I found myself riding the Moto2 lines but gradually I learnt and began taking different lines which suit the MotoGP machine better. We worked on the rear grip and struggled to improve, maybe we spent too much time in this area. However, we fixed some problems and now we have some new issues to deal with that we must work on tomorrow"

Yamaha One Two as Rossi Returns to the Top in Jerez

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 24th March 2013

The second day of the final pre-season MotoGP test was again played out in difficult weather conditions today with riders having to splash through a water-filled morning before being able to enjoy some dry track time later in the afternoon.

Valentino Rossi was finally given the conditions that allowed him to show his pleasure at being back on the YZR-M1. In the afternoon’s dry spell and on a European circuit he knows well, the nine time Champion rose quickly to the top of the timesheets, staying there until the close of the day and reminding everyone that the special relationship between ‘the Doctor’ and the M1 has not lost its magic.

Teammate Jorge Lorenzo, yesterday’s fastest rider in the wet, was just 0.015 seconds behind Rossi as today’s session ended, the reigning World Champion continuing to stay on the pace at the sharp end of the time scores.

Tech3 Satellite rider Cal Crutchlow was next in the standings, making a Yamaha 1,2,3.

Valentino Rossi

1st / 1.39.525 / 39 laps

“Today's test session was very positive for us. I’m so happy, especially because we used a different style of setting. It is very important for us to understand this setting, which can help and effect my riding style to ride the bike in a better way and stay more constant, especially with good lap times on old tyres.

To make the first position with a time of 39.5 is good and also being as fast as Jorge. Me and my team are very happy with the pace and I think we will try to continue to work on this way.”

Jorge Lorenzo

2nd / 1.39.540 / 34 laps

“The track was dry but not in perfect conditions today, there was not so much grip and we had some problems in some corners, where the bike was not very stable.

In general it was a very positive test. We worked on suspension and electronics today and we saw that compared to Austin the Yamaha's were much more competitive.

There are three Yamaha's in the top three and that is good for the motivation of the brand. The track is not in the best condition, it’s dry but it’s not perfect because of the rain. I think we have to focus on getting more stability on acceleration and get more comfortable with the race pace.”

Wilco Zeelenberg

Team Manager

“We are of course happy that it dried up and that we were able to do fourty laps today in dry conditions. Lap times were quite good.

We are still not so satisfied with the set up so we will continue to work on that. Lap time wise Cal, Vale and Jorge are very close and in front of Honda, which we are of course very happy with, but the gap is quite tight! We need to work more on the set up tomorrow.”

Massimo Meregalli

Team Director

“Finally we managed to have a good and valuable practice. We were able to work very well on the base set up and we had quite good results.

Now we are ready to test the last new items tomorrow. We will confirm the difference between the two chassis’ and decide which one to use in Qatar.

We didn't have any problems today, just good steps made by trying different settings. It has been a very positive day.”

PETRUCCI AND PESEK GOT GOOD RESULTS IN THE SECOND IRTA TEST DAY

The second IRTA Test day on the Jerez Circuit in Andalucia, has permitted to the riders to work only during the second half of the day. The weather conditions were better only in the afternoon and so all riders went on track from 2 PM.

The good conditions of the track has permitted to the Came Iodaracing Team riders to test in the better way the new Ioda-Suter BMW.

At the end of the day Danilo Petrucci and Lukas Pesek have gotten very important informations for the development of the new Magneti Marelli ECU and also for the new Ioda-Suter chassis.

At 4.30PM it started again to rain and everybody finished to test. Danilo Petrucci has finished in 14th position with 1.41.529, 3rd best CRT, while Lukas Pesek has got the 25th place with 1.44.874.

Danilo Petrucci has got a very important result because his gap from Valentino Rossi best time, 1.39.525, it's just 2.004 and from Nicky Hayden, with the Ducati Factory bike, only 0.204.

DANILO PETRUCCI - 14° - 1.41.529 "It was a good day, we had to check some problems that we had in Malaysia like chattering, and if we still have it here it could be a big problem to solve during the season. Fortunately he haven't it and we started to work on the rear part of the bike like the swing arm and the rear suspension, and at the end of the day we have found a good setting of the bike with used tyres. Then we have used a new tyre and I got 1.41.529 that is my best time on this track, I was the best CRTs rider but in the last laps I could not improve my time because I found some traffic on track, I think that tomorrow we can improve a lot if it will not rain. I'm happy because the gap from MotoGPs is decreasing and all the CRTs are very closed like in Moto2 class. On this track MotoGPs and CRTs are closer because we can advantage of our bike on "full power" than the prototypes, but I think that at the end of the season the gaps will be those. Two seconds from the best MotoGP is a very good result, but we have still a lot of work to do because this is our first real test with the new chassis".

LUKAS PESEK - 25° - 1.44.874 - "Today it was our first day with the new chassis and we have focused our work on the set up of the bike. We had some difficulties, but during the day we have solved some problems, but we have still a lot to do. When we put on the bike a new set of tyres it started to rain and we couldn't continue our work. Tomorrow we have to test many different solution hoping in the good weather".

Crutchlow storms into top three at Jerez

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Cal Crutchlow took full advantage of improved weather conditions to storm into the top three on a second day of MotoGP testing in Jerez that was dominated by Yamaha's 2013 YZR-M1 machine.

Although there was no repeat of yesterday's torrential rain, much brighter skies and a strong wind didn't dry the track quickly enough for any meaningful testing to commence until after 1pm.

Having waited patiently to start crucial set-up work on his YZR-M1 machine, Crutchlow was able to quickly find a fast pace and a 1.41.247 on only his third lap moved him into second position.

As track conditions and grip levels improved, Crutchlow was able to improve his pace to a 1.39.574 that secured him a brilliant third position on the timesheets with a gap of just 49 thousandths of a second behind factory Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

The majority of the afternoon session took place in sunny but breezy skies but the grey clouds that were a constant feature yesterday returned with 90 minutes of track time left and rain started to fall again.

The showers quickly stopped but with conditions far from ideal, Crutchlow took no further part in proceedings.

A dry track presented rookie Bradley Smith with the ideal opportunity to put in vital laps on slick tyres after yesterday's rain had restricted him to just 14-laps on Bridgestone's wet weather rubber.

Smith was able to complete 41 laps this afternoon and gain valuable time on track as he continued to adapt to the YZR-M1 machine. He set a personal best time of 1.41.398 that left him less than 0.1s outside of the top 10 and only 0.7 s away from the top six. He also grasped the chance to pursue nine-times World Champion Valentino Rossi for a short spell earlier, learning how to improve his riding technique to suit the heavier and more powerful YZR-M1 after a two-year spell in the Moto2 category.

Cal Crutchlow 3rd 1.39.574 – 44 laps:

“I am very happy with how today went and it was good to get in some laps in the dry. We had a few things to try with the bike and the weather meant we could assess what was positive and negative. It wasn't easy at the start because the track was really dirty and then later on it got quite cold and slippery, but we got some important work completed on the set-up. My Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team did a great job and I am sure with some small adjustments tomorrow we can be faster. The pleasing aspect of today was I was very consistent and that makes me confident for when we come back for the race here. The fact that the top three was filled by Yamaha also bodes well for the race in a few weeks. I am right in the mix with the factory bikes again and this is very satisfying for me."

Bradley Smith 12th 1.41.398 – 41 laps:

“Today was positive because I really need dry track time and also to get some data of riding the bike on a track other than Sepang. I felt much happier than in Malaysia because it is a track I definitely like and we can see from the top three that it suits the Yamaha very well too. Immediately from the first exit I felt comfortable and knew my reference points quicker. It was easier for me to pick up the pace and we made some really good improvements and progress during the first four exits. We tried some set-up modifications to get an idea about my feedback and at that point we realized that we were going in the wrong direction and just as we came back to what I liked it started raining and that was a shame. I still need to improve a lot but the gap to the firs t six is not as big as Sepang and that is a positive. I followed Valentino for a short time today and it was a very interesting experience. I could pick up some things about riding technique and I could understand that I need to be a little smoother."

POWER ELECTRONICS ASPAR PAIR FINALISE PRESEASON PLANS AT JEREZ

Espargaró clocks thirteenth fastest time with De Puniet sixteenth

After yesterday's rain the second day of the final preseason test at Jerez proved to be largely fruitful, with the track drying out by lunchtime to allow for productive afternoon before the heavens opened once again at around 5pm. After a winter that has seen the time sheets dominated by Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Márquez at Sepang and Austin, today it was the turn of Valentino Rossi to return to the top and stake his claim as a contender for the crown of MotoGP World Champion once again.

After preferring not to ride in the mixed conditions yesterday the POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar Team had plenty of work to do today. Aleix Espargaró made back-to-back comparisons between his bikes from last year and this year, the Spaniard finishing with the thirteenth fastest time of the day after 49 laps. His team-mate Randy De Puniet spent much of the day working through an issue with his engine braking and was fortunate to escape unhurt at the end of the day after a crash in turn eight.

13th Aleix Espargaró 1.41.444 (49 laps): "We finally had some dry track time today and we had a lot of work to do on the bike, so luckily every lap we did was productive. We still need to make some comparisons between last year's bike and this year's so we dialled them both in with similar set-ups and did some back-to-back tests. I love the new bike but I don't know it as well as the 2012 version so we're working on it. We tried a bunch of different set-up options on both bikes to try to find a more comfortable setting. If the weather is good tomorrow we will work on getting the lap time down."

16th Randy De Puniet 1.41.686 (37 laps): "Even though the weather was better today we had to wait until lunchtime before we could ride because the track was quite damp. At the start we had a few problems under braking, I didn't feel comfortable with the bike and I was struggling to stop it so we had to work on that all day, adjusting the engine braking. We had it sorted for the afternoon but it started raining. We wanted to do one last run at the end of the day just to test a few things but I crashed at turn eight. I was lucky I wasn't hurt because we don't know why it happened so we have work to do tomorrow."

Progress for Ducati Team at day two of Jerez test

Once again, bad weather affected the second day of the final IRTA-organized test ahead of the MotoGP championship that starts in two weeks. The track was wet in the morning and late afternoon, but there were nearly three hours of totally dry conditions just after lunchtime, enabling the Ducati Team to turn a decent number of laps and to try various settings with the Desmosedici GP13.

Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden were able to verify the good progress made with the GP13’s revised weight distribution, which they had already tried at the second Sepang test last month. In addition, they tried a new aerodynamic solution, with a different fairing. They enjoyed positive results in the windy conditions, with the Italian posting the fifth-best time in the day’s standings. Nicky also worked well in the afternoon, but his planned attempt to lower his time with a new tyre was thwarted by the rain that ended the day prematurely.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) 5th, 1:40.322 (30 laps)

“Looking at the result, you could certainly say the gap of seven tenths isn’t bad, but you can’t really refer to the times because it will probably be dry tomorrow and the track will be faster. Today we did a number of tests with the setup, and I’m curious to see what we can do tomorrow. Anyway, there are a number of aspects we have to work on because we’re still behind.”

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) 10th, 1:41.325 (35 laps)

“We finally got a couple of good hours of track time. It was a bit windy, but the track dried up and grip was okay. I was struggling with the wind in the fast corners, and those are important at Jerez. We tried the different fairing, and it helped a little in the wind, but in the fast corners I didn’t have as good a feeling in the front. Things didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, though my hand was a little better in the dry than I had expected. It was a little weak, but I was able to ride 35 laps with no drama.”

Development Team rider Michele Pirro completed a total of 32 laps, working mainly on the chassis, posting a best time of 1:41.603 and finishing the day in fifteenth place.

BRADL’S SET-UP WORK PROCEEDS ON DAY TWO AT JEREZ

Jerez, 24 March: unfavourable weather conditions at Jerez circuit limited productivity of MotoGP group even today, with the premier class riders leaving the pits only after lunch on dry weather tyres. LCR Honda racer Stefan Bradl was relatively pleased with his daily work as he initially missed front end feeling on his RC213V. The German was 8th fastest with 1’40.783.

Stefan: “Today it was not the perfect day for us but, at least, we had some dry conditions. However, with poor grip conditions after yesterday’s washout, we have struggled with the front going into the corners in the braking areas. It took us some time to analyze the problem and to find a solution and I also crashed because of this lack of confidence with the front. When we adjusted the problem I could lap with more confidence increasing my feeling but I know we still have to fine-tune the package to go faster”.

POSITIVE DAY FOR TEAM GO&FUN HONDA GRESINI DESPITE CRASH FOR BAUTISTA

A crash for Alvaro Bautista shortly before the rain came to signal the end of a dry second day of testing at Jerez helped to further dampen the mood of Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini after an otherwise positive sessi on. Up to that point Bautista had been making good progress with his Showa suspension and found some interesting solutions before losing the front at turn 5 and hitting the air fence at speed. The Spaniard sustained slight fractures to the fourth and fifth fingers on his left hand and suffered a right knee strain. An assessment of his fitness will be made tomorrow morning before a decision is made on his participation in the final day of the test. Bryan Staring gradually got to grips with the Jerez layout as he again showed the potential to run with the very best in the CRT category.

Alvaro Bautista (1’40.686 – 35 laps) “We didn't need the crash because we were having a good day and getting a lot of work done together with Showa. The latest updates were working well but we didn't get to finish the programme we had planned. It's a shame but the only consolation is that we would have had to stop shortly afterwards anyway because of the rain. Unfortunately I ended up with fractures to two of my fingers and a knee strain which has put the final day of the test in doubt. We will let the Clinica Mobile doctors assess my condition in the morning and take it from there.”

Bryan Staring (1’42.107 – 39 laps) “I am really happy because we have been able to make a lot of progress compared to yesterday and, with the help of the team, set some fast and consistent lap times. I have to say that I really love Jerez, I reckon it is one of the nicest tracks in the world and that has given me another push. Now we need to confirm our pace tomorrow and try to show everybody and myself what my true potential is.”

CHALLENGING DAY FOR PRAMAC RACING TEAM.

The second day of action at Jerez got underway at 2.00 p.m. due to the track conditions following yesterday’s rainfall.

It was a positive start for the team with Andrea immediately setting a good time to move into 5th place in the timesheets. Unfortunately, on lap 15 he was victim to an unexpected but harmless crash that forced him to interrupt the testing day.

Ben instead managed to keep a constant pace aiming to collect useful data for the Championship.

Late in the afternoon a brief rain shower came down and all the MotoGP riders came back into the pits.

Tomorrow sees the last day of testing to finalize the set-up before the season gets underway.

Andrea Iannone - Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

"It was a positive day despite the crash that forced me to stop. I was able to have a good feeling with the bike and get some good impressions. I'm sorry for the fall but I was trying to improve my pace and unfortunately these things can happen. I am very positive and I hope to be fast as soon as possible. "

Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“We didn’t have a great day, but now we know a little more about the bike and we improved quite a bit even with my shoulder problem. I am happy because it feels better and better. We know we are a bit slower than where we wanted to be, but I had some good laps, we worked hard and we have got some changes to do tomorrow to get more confidence with the bike.”